SOCPSY 1Z03 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Negative Feedback, Criterion Validity, Demand Characteristics
29 Jun 2018
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Reading Notes Ch. 2 Textbook
Research Methods
Methodology – a set of systematic procedures that guide the collection
and analysis of data
Characteristics of Empirical Research
Objectives of Research
oDescribing reality
oIdentifying correlations between variables
oTesting causal hypotheses
oDeveloping and testing theories
Theory – a set of interrelated hypotheses that explain some
observable behaviours or events
Research Hypotheses
Hypothesis – a conjectural statement of the relation between two or more
variables
Causal hypotheses always include at least two variables – IV and DV
Extraneous variable – any variable that is not expressly included in the
hypothesis but that nevertheless has a causal impact on the dependent
variable
Validity of Findings
Internal Validity – if they are free from contamination by extraneous
variables
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oHigh or low internal validity
oWithout internal validity, a study cannot provide clear, interpretable
results
oTo improve internal validity, can repeat the study with an improved
design
oExternal Validity – the extent to which a causal relationship can be
generalized to other populations, settings, or time periods.
May only hold for specific group and setting studied, and not
generalize to others
Types of Research Methods
Surveys
Asking members of some population a set of questions and recording
responses
To obtain self-reports from individuals about their own attributes
(attitudes, behaviour, experiences)
Pro: useful for identifying average or typical responses and distribution of
responses within a population
Pro: useful for identifying how groups of respondents differ from one
another
Types of surveys:
oInterviews
Interviewer works from interview schedule to ensure
consistency
Can be flexible though
Can look for verbal/nonverbal signs
oQuestionnaires
Appear on paper/computer and participants answer on their
own
Cost less
Disadvantage: response rate – the percentage of people
contacted who complete the survey
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Interviews can obtain 75-80% responses,
questionnaires rarely attain more than 50% (Online –
20%)
Telephone Interviews
Measurement Reliability and Validity
Reliability – the extent to which an instrument produces the same results
each time it is employed to measure a particular construct under given
conditions
oTest-retest method; investigator applies the measuring instrument
to the same respondents on two different occasions compares
the first response with the second responses.
If correlation between first and second responses is high =
high reliability
If correlation is low = low reliability
Split-half method
To see if people’s responses are consistent across items
Randomly divide questions into two groups, calculate a score for each
respondent on each group and compute a correlation between scores
High correlation = reliable
Validity – whether the instrument actually measures the theoretical concept
we intend to measure
Face validity – if its content is manifestly similar to the behaviour or process
of interest
Criterion validity – if we can use it to predict respondents’ standing on some
other variable of theoretical or practical interest
Construct validity – if it provides a good measure of the theoretical concept
being investigated by the research
Good construct validity – if it measures what people understand the concept
to mean and if it relates to other variables as predicted by the theory under
consideration
Can be difficult if theoretical construct is abstract in nature
Questions
Phrasing of questions is important
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Document Summary
Methodology a set of systematic procedures that guide the collection and analysis of data. Objectives of research: describing reality, identifying correlations between variables, testing causal hypotheses, developing and testing theories. Theory a set of interrelated hypotheses that explain some observable behaviours or events. Hypothesis a conjectural statement of the relation between two or more variables. Causal hypotheses always include at least two variables iv and dv. Extraneous variable any variable that is not expressly included in the hypothesis but that nevertheless has a causal impact on the dependent variable. May only hold for specific group and setting studied, and not generalize to others. Asking members of some population a set of questions and recording responses. To obtain self-reports from individuals about their own attributes (attitudes, behaviour, experiences) Pro: useful for identifying average or typical responses and distribution of responses within a population. Pro: useful for identifying how groups of respondents differ from one another.
